I Never Endorsed Peter Obi, Says Olubadan

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Alli Okunmade II, yesterday, denied the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by his media aide, Oladele Ogunsola.

The statement reads: “The attention of the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has been drawn to the claim of endorsement of the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by the monarch and his members of Advisory Council, a claim described as false and self-concocted to mislead the public.

“In the offensive video being widely circulated by Obi’s handlers, High Chief Eddy Oyewole was seen praying for the success of the party at the polls and one cannot but wonder how that became an endorsement. Are Obi’s sympathisers looking forward to the palace cursing him? God forbid.

“How could anybody in his or her widest imagination assume that a presidential candidate of any political party would receive an open endorsement from a place like the palace of Olubadan? That must be a joke carried too far. It is preposterous to say the least.

“While discountenancing the claim of endorsement by the Olubadan Advisory Council, our politicians are counselled to please leave the palace out of their game. The campaign is just starting and visits to palaces are part of the itinerary of the candidates. How would they feel should the gates of palaces be locked against them?”

Meanwhile, the Olubadan has charged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to do everything humanly and professionally possible to ensure that the forthcoming 2023 general elections are held peacefully without any rancour or untoward occurrences.

The monarch made the call while hosting the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone XI (Zone II), Mrs. Christy Cookey at his Alarere residence.